sladesurfer

http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=7113

dannyyboii

Wow...then I was actually deceived into trusting those reviews...***holes..

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Jakg

- looks like Dell have brought some bad stuff to Alienware

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BenHagerty

Same will happen with HP and Voodoo

killnine

I kinda understand where Dell and Alienware is coming from. I mean, would you wanna shell out the shipping to provide a group a system for them to bash. I dont think a lot of sites give pre-built systems any leeway. As soon as one thing goes wrong they say "oh, its a POS dell, no wonder".

Still, the "simple" solution for Alienware is to make bulletproof products that can't really be nailed for any performance (or quality) issues. Easier said than done.

Frankly, I think both sides are contributing to the tension. I think private review sites, though, are particular to 3rd-party hardware, and are more than skeptical of OEM products. Its kinda a given (just like it is here). Try as they might, they can't really break from their Enthusiast roots.

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Thumper

True, however, I have seen some reviews where there is literally nothing truly 'wrong' with the hardware, it simply does not have as many options as a self-built system would have.....which makes sense, as these pre-builts come with a warrenty and tech support.......they are not going to want to walk the clueless through a CMOS reset after they changed something in BIOS they shouldn't have, or even the bad publicity when someone who doesn't know what they are doing frys something.

Reviews should be impartial...and when they start off with "Well, we have another POS pre-built to test today....." it kind of hurts the impartiality. Each product on it's merits.......the pre-built systems are designed for those that have limited if any computer abilities and still want good performance, and they have to pay for the privilage.

I think Dell/Alienware should have simply worded their policy differently. If they would simply say; "You do not give us FAIR reviews so we see no reason to give you free hardware." there would be no issue......

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Modki

Who wants to read a review about a Dell anyways? I mean they're like all the same performance wise, sub-par, from my experiences anyways. They are good little computers for people who can't build their own.

The problem is they are great little computers for people who can't build their own. :P

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christian_piper

If you read it, it was a VERY fair review....

RonindeBeatrice

I remember actually reading the original review. The hexus guys really only said that the dell was about $700 dollars more than a similar machine from another builder... honest truth there...

If Alienware can't accept that they inflate the price more than the next guy then so help them...

Alienware's written a follow-up letter explaining the whole thing is just a misunderstanding....

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